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Pilot Vp Troubleshooting

mooshi

By mooshi
in Repair Q&A

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mooshi Vintage

mooshi

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Good day, all.

 

I've had my Pilot Vanishing Point #1 (brown, steel/rhodium ? medium nib) for almost 2 years now. It's always been quite the workhorse and never gave me problems until recently.

 

I've run PR Chocolat, Chesterfield Archival (IG), and Noodler's 54th through it, as those are my only inks. I also only use Pilot cartridges with the metal sleeve since I don't like using converters.

 

Recently, I'd noticed that it would give me extremely hard starts or just be completely dry - even if left only overnight.

 

Under a flashlight, I could see that there seems to be a little crack in the trap door. Light doesn't show through it, though, so I'm wondering if my eyes are playing tricks on me. Perhaps the crack is just very small. Or maybe the trap door is misaligned.

 

Compared to VP #2 (red, gold fine nib), there's too much air flow. If I blow into the front half of the pen of VP #1, air will come through the other end, whereas my face would turn blue if I tried the same with VP #2.

 

What options do I have here? Is there something I could do myself to repair it or would I just have to buy another body? If so, should I just wait around for Engeika to have some more bodies in stock or is there another seller?

 

Thank you kindly in advance for any advice.

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Dr.Grace

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I'd contact Pilot. They should take care of it. I haven't had to use their repair services lately, so I don't know if they'll charge a fee.

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis", 1776

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mooshi Vintage

mooshi

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I'd contact Pilot. They should take care of it. I haven't had to use their repair services lately, so I don't know if they'll charge a fee.

I had contacted them but I would be responsible for insured shipping to/from plus any amount necessary for repairs IF they're able to fix it. I figured at that rate, I'd be better off buying a body from elsewhere if I couldn't fix it myself... I was hoping I could fix it myself.

 

I'd read from a Redditor that Pilot had wanted $70 for a new nose-cone. At that price, I could get a second-hand pen, I think.

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Dr.Grace

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You can buy a new VP in some colors for less than $70 from J-subculture.com.

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis", 1776

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